Per Mertesacker is entrusted with the job of collecting fines from Arsenal players in breach of club discipline but the German may find himself going cap in hand to manager Arsene Wenger for his place in the team.

Harry Redknapp believes a lack of quality is to blame for Queens Park Rangers’ relegation.

Rangers have lost 20 games this season and managed just four wins in a miserable League campaign.

Several players have come in for criticism over an apparent lack of effort but Redknapp has dismissed that suggestion.

“People talk about lack of effort, it’s more down to lack of quality,” said Redknapp (above), whose Rangers side face Liverpool on Sunday in their final match of the season.

“In some cases it’s desire but in the main it’s quality. We need changes, for sure. This team weren’t good enough, so we need to make some changes and improve the squad so we’re ready. It’s a big summer for this football club. We know what we need to do. It’s going to be tough for all the teams next year.

“We need players with the right attitude and quality to get us out of the Championship. I’m confident we can give it a real go but it’s a league full of top clubs.

“It’s a tough league to get out of. There are no easy games in the Championship — Saturday, midweek, Saturday, midweek. We need players who can play week in week out.

“The hard work really starts this summer. We will try to clear the decks and get some fresh blood in as well so we can compete at the top.”